title: Dynamic clamp with StdpC software.
abstract: Dynamic clamp is a powerful method that allows the introduction of artificial electrical components into target cells to simulate ionic conductances and synaptic inputs. This method is based on a fast cycle of measuring the membrane potential of a cell, calculating the current of a desired simulated component using an appropriate model and injecting this current into the cell. Here we present a dynamic clamp protocol using free, fully integrated, open-source software (StdpC, for spike timing-dependent plasticity clamp). Use of this protocol does not require specialist hardware, costly commercial software, experience in real-time operating systems or a strong programming background. The software enables the configuration and operation of a wide range of complex and fully automated dynamic clamp experiments through an intuitive and powerful interface with a minimal initial lead time of a few hours. After initial configuration, experimental results can be generated within minutes of establishing cell recording.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
authors.forename: Ildikó
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kemenes
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crossley
authors.forename: Dávid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samu
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Staras
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kemenes
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nowotny
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003199:Computer Systems; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology